Nuclear activists plan AWE protest break-ins

MILITANT campaigners will break into Reading's two Atomic Weapons Establishments this week in a protest against nuclear missiles.

Activists will cut through fences and try to break into offices and laboratories at AWE Aldermaston and its sister site AWE Burghfield.

Many hope to be arrested and even imprisoned as a way of gaining publicity for their cause.

The six-day protest has been organised by Trident Ploughshares, which was set up in 1998 with the aim of forcing the Government to dismantle the UK's Trident nuclear system.

About 200 people are expected to set up camp on Thursday outside the west gate of AWE Aldermaston, which makes the warheads for Britain's four Trident nuclear Submarines berthed at Faslane in Scotland.

Trident Ploughshares spokesman Marcus Armstrong expects people to be arrested for criminal damage, trespass, a breach of the peace or obstruction - but not assault.

He said: "We are a direct action disarmament group, so this is a practical act. But everybody who gets involved has to sign a pledge of non-violence. We would not want to do anything that would hurt ourselves or others."

"We do expect some arrests and some charges. It is our chance to have our say in court and hopefully in front of a jury."

The activists will work in small groups invading different parts of the bases, trying to gain

information about their layouts and systems.

They will not enter any areas containing radioactive or other toxic material.

Since Trident Ploughshares was formed, there have been 1,715 arrests and 277 trials. Activists have spent many days in prison and paid more than £40,000 in fines.

Mr Armstrong said: "The fundamental argument of our case is that what they are doing is illegal and against the Geneva Convention.

"You cannot murder innocent people, like mums taking their kids to school and old ladies in the street.

"But that is all that nuclear weapons can be used for, because they are such large-scale weapons. That is illegal.

"Weapons have to be able to discriminate between combatants and civilians."

The group's plot is known to AWE, which has been discussing security arrangements with both Ministry of Defence and Thames Valley police forces.

Spokesman Graeme Hammond said: "Of course we respect the right of anybody to make a peaceful protest but we do have a concern for the safety of staff, the public and the site and therefore we have been co-operating with Thames Valley and MoD police."

Trident Ploughshares has also organised a carnival and march from Reading railway station to the town centre at 11am on Saturday.

The event will include a street theatre session outside the Museum of Reading.

On Sunday there will be a multi-faith ceremony outside the main gate of AWE Aldermaston at 2.30pm, and on Monday there will be a lunchtime picnic and a tour around the outside of AWE Burghfield.

Protestors will also give out leaflets to staff at the bases and to the public.

Anyone wanting to join the disarmament camp or the march can just turn up.